Kos Karetsas Joins Borussia Dortmund in Record Transfer

Genk’s next gem is heading to Germany. And this one will rewrite the club’s record books.

According to Bob Faesen of HLN, Genk and Borussia Dortmund have reached an agreement for the transfer of 18-year-old Greek talent Kos Karetsas, in a deal set to become the most expensive sale in Genk’s history. The exact fee remains under wraps, but Genk had been holding out for around €35 million – a figure that underlines how highly they rate the teenager.

Karetsas is expected to sign a five-year contract and make the leap to the Bundesliga, choosing Dortmund from a host of suitors. For a player who has built his reputation on rapid development, the destination makes perfect sense: a club with a proven track record of turning gifted youngsters into elite-level stars.

From Genk’s academy to record sale

Genk’s academy has long been a production line for top talent, and Karetsas is the latest to emerge from a system that also nurtured Bilal El Khannous. Like El Khannous, Karetsas didn’t just pass through the youth ranks; he forced his way into the first team as a teenager.

He made his senior debut at just 16 during the 2023/24 season, a glimpse of what was to come. The following campaign he became a regular, featuring in 39 matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Those numbers hinted at his creativity, but the real explosion came a year later.

In a difficult 2025/26 season for Genk, Karetsas stepped up. While the team struggled, the 18-year-old delivered a breakout year: 49 appearances in all competitions, three goals and a remarkable 14 assists. In a side searching for consistency, he became one of the few reliable sources of end product.

The contrast was telling. Genk faltered; Karetsas flourished.

A deliberate choice: Dortmund or nothing

Plenty of clubs circled as his influence grew, but Karetsas had a clear preference. He wanted Borussia Dortmund above all other options, seeing the German club as the best environment to refine his game and accelerate his development.

For Dortmund, it fits a familiar pattern: identify a gifted teenager, pay big before the price explodes, and trust the pathway. For Genk, it is the ultimate validation of their academy model – and a record-breaking cheque to prove it.

The numbers will eventually be revealed. The trajectory of Kos Karetsas already is.